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Mission, Convictions and Heritage

St. Thomas Mission Statement

Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.

Our Convictions

1. Pursuit of Truth:

   We value intellectual inquiry as a lifelong habit, the unfettered and impartial pursuit of truth in all its forms, the integration of knowledge across disciplines, and the imaginative and creative exploration of new ideas.

2. Academic Excellence:

   We create a culture among faculty, students and staff that recognizes the power of ideas and rewards rigorous thinking.

3. Faith and Reason:

   We actively engage Catholic intellectual tradition, which values the fundamental compatibility of faith and reason and fosters meaningful dialogue directed toward the flourishing of human culture.

4. Dignity:

   We respect the dignity of each person and value the unique contributions that each brings to the greater mosaic of the university community.

5. Diversity:

   We strive to create a vibrant diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society.

6. Personal Attention:

   We foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member.

7. Gratitude:

   We celebrate the achievements of all members of our community in goals attained and obstacles overcome, and in all things give praise to God.

The Common Good at St. Thomas

What do we mean by the common good? Fr. Chris Collins invites you to learn more about what that means for Tommies and how it relates to our mission at St. Thomas.

“Grant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish what is pleasing to Thee for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.”

The Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Catholic Traditions and Teaching

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Catholic Social Teaching

The Dignity of Persons

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.

The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.

• Catholic Social Teaching at St. Thomas (PDF)

The Dignity of Persons

Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the University of St. Thomas and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.

Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”

• The Dignity of Persons (PDF)

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.

The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.

• Catholic Social Teaching at St. Thomas (PDF)

The Dignity of Persons

The Dignity of Persons

Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the University of St. Thomas and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.

Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”

• The Dignity of Persons (PDF)

We welcome those committed to searching for knowledge and to living all for the common good.

Our Gift to Serve

Charism of St. Thomas

A charism is a special gift given by the Holy Spirit to serve others. Our Charism is grounded on the vision of Archbishop Ireland, the intellectual rigor expressed in the work of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the moral guidance of Catholic Intellectual Tradition, all of which are inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.

These sources help us to articulate our impact on the lives of students and our contributions to the broader community.

Charism of St. Thomas (PDF)

Living Our Mission

Office for Mission

The Office for Mission works to support and integrate the broad reach of the Catholic identity throughout the university as a whole.

Learn more about Office for Mission

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry celebrates the diversity of faith traditions in our university community through a variety of prayer, service and educational opportunities.

Learn more about Campus Ministry

Center for the Common Good

The Center for the Common Good integrates community engagement into the fabric of life at St. Thomas by connecting students, faculty and staff with opportunities to learn with and from community partners.

Learn more about Center for the Common Good

Committed to All Humans Flourishing

Our community is committed to championing a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that upholds human dignity.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Care for Our Common Home

Sustainability is infused into every aspect of campus life, from academic programs and student activities to facilities and dining operations. We aim to be carbon neutral by 2035.

Learn more about Sustainability

Support for Mind, Body and Spirit

Our conviction to personal attention embodies campus support services like the Center for Well-Being, which provides holistic physical and mental health resources.

Learn more about Support and Well-Being

Faith and Mission News

January 7, 2025

Father Christopher Collins ’93, SJ, vice president for mission at the University of St. Thomas, was quoted in the Minnesota Star Tribune article "The solstice, Christmas and Hanukkah align for more light." He reflected on the significance of light during the Christmas season, describing it as "the light of God coming into the world, in… The post In the News: Vice President for Mission Father Chris Collins Discusses the Light of God Amid Times of Darkness appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• December 13, 2024

  The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on Dec. 12, drew a large crowd at the University of St. Thomas for a bilingual Mass at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. The annual tradition on the St. Paul campus was followed by a procession with a framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to… The post PHOTOS: Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• December 11, 2024

  Something significant is happening in Catholic education today. In their 2023–24 annual report, the National Catholic Education Association shares that “amidst societal upheaval and educational instability, Catholic schools have emerged as beacons of stability, reversing years of enrollment decline.” Yet tucked inside the positive news, Catholic schools increasingly face the challenge Jesus gave the apostles:… The post Renewing the Culture Through Catholic Education appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• December 11, 2024

  Excerpt from Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture 27, no. 4 (Fall 2024) I once asked a colleague whether he loved his students. “I love them like I love my enemies,” he replied. That was meant as a joke, of course, but there was also something sincere about his reply. For Christians really… The post Love Thy Students appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• December 11, 2024

  The metaphor of “yeast” can serve as a model for Catholic education. Yeast is an agent of infusion, integration and penetration that transforms the flour into which it is introduced. Frosting, on the other hand, does not penetrate the cake, but only layers itself on top. These two metaphors capture in a simple – but… The post Yeast or Frosting: Two Competing Visions of Catholic Education appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.